Court suspends deportation of Nepalese couple

SEOUL, May 13 (Yonhap) -- A Seoul court ruled against a decision by the
immigration service to immediately deport a Nepalese couple for their illegal
entry into South Korea nine years ago, citing the expiration of the statute of
limitations and public interest, court officials said Thursday.
The Nepalese man and woman, whose names were withheld, used fake passports to
enter the country illegally in February 2001, according to immigration
authorities. They have since run a restaurant and had two children in South
Korea.
The couple decided to legalize their stay in July 2006 by voluntarily reporting
their illegal status and left the country, returning later with valid passports.
Last December, however, immigration officials ordered them to leave the country
because of their past record of illegal entry. The officials also claimed their
presence in the country undermines the public interest and security.
The Seoul Administrative Court ordered that the deportation order be suspended
until a petition filed by the couple is settled by an appellate court.
"Although the purpose of the order was to prevent illegal entrants from
threatening public safety, there is no evidence the Nepalese couple did anything
to pose such a threat. Furthermore, the expulsion will cause them to lose their
means of living for their family," the court said.
minsikyoon@yna.co.kr
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